Wealth List of 2016 Presidential Candidates

The U.S. presidential election is by far the most expensive political race in the world, especially when compared with countries that have strict regulations on campaign funding and expenses.

While these campaigns are extremely costly, individual campaigns are often among the wealthiest Americans in the country.

In presidential politics money can mean everything especially in U.S. There are lots of support rolls in through ads, lavish dinner parties, and flashy campaigns. Additionally, the net worth of a presidential candidate does not necessarily determine the financial strength of the associated campaign. Some candidate’s campaign funds are far greater than their net worth while others are far lower.

This list of the wealthiest U.S. presidential candidates is not necessarily adjusted for inflation. Below are top contenders for president and how much they are worth.

1. Donald Trump (Net worth: $4.5 billion)

Donald Trump is far and away the wealthiest individual running for the presidency. Trump is an American businessperson and media personality. He is the chairperson and president of Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. His precise net worth is difficult to gauge as his campaign released a statement claiming his net worth to be over $10 billion but Forbes estimates that it is $4 billion.

Trump is capable of funding his entire campaign by himself. So far in the campaign, he has donated $1.8 million to himself accounting for 95 percent of his campaign funds. Donald Trump has made many inflammatory remarks regarding women, China, immigrants, among other targets. These statements have been received negatively by the press, but they have also helped them gain popularity.

This real estate tycoon is the Republican front-runner, commanding approximately 22 percent of GOP voters, roughly double the support garnered by Jeb Bush.

2. Hillary Clinton (Net worth: $45 million)

Hillary Clinton is an American politician and former United States Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009. She was the first female senator to represent New York State. After serving as Secretary of State in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2013, she announced her candidacy for president yet again this past April.

The presumptive Democratic front-runner in the 2016 presidential race started her campaign miles ahead of challengers. Her bestselling 2014 memoir, ‘Hard Choices,’ which chronicles her time as secretary of state, reportedly earned her a high-seven-figure advance.

After announcing her candidacy for presidency election, she had a campaign in waiting already in place including experienced operatives, an extensive donor network and the Ready for Hillary and Priorities USA Action political action committees and other infrastructure.

3. Ben Carson (Net worth: $26 million)

Forbes estimates that the Republican candidate Dr. Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, an author, and one of the only non-politicians in the race, to be worth $26 million. Ben Carson was the head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins for 29 years.

He is famous for being the first surgeon to separate conjoined twins for the first time and successfully completing other complicated surgeries. Some of the Carson’s wealth comes from sales of the numerous books he has published including ‘Gifted Hands’, which was adapted for a 2009 film. His income sources include a salary from his professorship at Johns Hopkins.

After delivering a widely publicized speech at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, he became a popular conservative figure in political media for his views on social and political issues. His retirement became official on July 1, 2013.

4. Jeb Bush (Net Worth: $22 million)

According to his campaign, Jeb Bush is worth as much as $22 million. The former Florida governor released 33 years of tax returns; the most ever revealed by a presidential candidate. Bush’s net worth grew dramatically during the eight years of private sector work following his departure as governor of Florida.

According to New York Times analysis in 2014, Jeb was paid more than $28 million since leaving office. That included $3.2 million from serving in the public companies and giving more than 100 speeches for which he was paid at least $3.2 million from serving on the boards of companies and giving more than 100 speeches for which he was paid at least $50,000 each.

5. Ted Cruz (Net Worth $3.5 million)

Ted Cruz is an Ivy League-educated lawyer, a Tea Party-backed Texas senator and a GOP presidential candidate. His father is a Cuban revolutionary who escaped Texas in 1957 where he paved way to the university of Texas. His mum is of Irish and Italian descent. Ted’s parents divorced when he was in Law school.

Before becoming a junior senator from Texas, he served as a Solicitor General of Texas from 2003 to 2008 which earned him a positive acclaim. He was also a part of George Bush campaign in 2000.

6. John Kasich (Net worth: $10 million plus)

According to his financial disclosure forms, John Kasich the Ohio governor’s net worth is $10 mil+. Kasich earned his some of his money from Lehman Brothers. He was also the host of a Fox News show that ended in 2007.

Some of Kasich’s assets include the Franklin Ohio T/F Income Fund A, and Russel Tax Exempt Bond Fund S. Both are held in trusts for John Kasich and Roth IRA NM RR Variable Annuity 98. He has also made his money working in the private sector as an investment banker.

7. Bernie Sanders (Net Worth: $700,000)

Bernie Sanders’ net worth is $700,000. Sanders is the only self-proclaimed socialist in the 2016 presidential campaign. In 2015, Bernie reported net worth assets at a minimum of $187, 026 and a maximum of $759, 004. Sanders owns a condominium in Vermont valued at $100,000. Sanders also has debts of at least $25,002 and as much as $65,000.

Critics have asked how a Republican with such a low net worth can win the nomination in a party that counts job growth and the economy as its biggest issues. However, a democratic socialist with a net worth in millions could be easily accused of hypocrisy.

8. Marcos Rubio (Net worth: $100,000)

Marcos Rubio’s net worth is $100,000. Marco Rubio lists assets like a rental home, college savings plan, and retirement funds. His debts are in the form of mortgages. Given that Marcos’s net worth is of $100,000, his push for the forefront is intriguing. Just like many Americans, he has struggled to manage his finances without assistance. His father was a bartender while his mother was a maid who worked in a hotel.